Tales From The Perilous Realm: The Definitive Collection of Tolkien’s Classic “Fairie” Tales Hardcover – November 17, 2008

Another ticked off of my list of unread or incomplete works by Tolkien. I continuous thought, “why is it called this though?” So I googled and… “The "Perilous Realm" refers to faërie, a broad term for the fantastical dimension visited by each tale in a different way.” So that makes sense now!This is a nice collection of what can be considered Tolkien’s more classic fairytales and I love the cover they chose. Math tells me this is a 4.6/5*.Roverandom: 5/5*Working my way through Tales From the Perilous Realm for the first time, but I’ve already read a couple. This was a re-read.This was originally written for Tolkien’s son, Michael, when he lost his toy dog. With that being said it’s incredibly silly, and lighthearted. Rover the dog bites a wizard on the seat of his pants and is turned to a toy dog. This is the story of his journey through that, and his journey home.My favorite thing about this little tale is that you can still see the grand scope in which Tolkien writes. His mine clearly always saw the big picture, and what could be, rather than just weaving a little something-something…even for his 4 year old son.Personally a 5/5* for me. I liked it even more the second time.Farmer Giles of Ham: 5/5*This review is based off of the Harper Collins Pocket Hardcovers sold in a set as the “Tolkien Treasury.” This book includes the published version of the story, the first manuscript version, and the short outline for the sequel. I’m including that info because I don’t know if other versions include the same.To me this was a great little tale, falling just short of me loving it. I think this is a cute, silly story that could so easily fall into the realm of other fairytale stories/the same popularity, if only it was more readily available. Although, it is again one of those older children’s stories where while I’m reading I’m like, “this was told to kids?!” So with that being said this could easily have been dulled down or “Disney-fied” or made even more adult in a longer version/adaptation.I feel like pretty much from top to bottom this story is about greed. While Giles is considered to be good to his people, and well liked, he is also still tempted by the gold of the dragon. Albeit, not as grossly as the king and his court.Of course we also get the dual pleasure of something light and enjoyable as with most of Tolkien’s earlier works (ie. Roverandom or even the full length The Hobbit), mixed with the lush imagination of the king of fantasy Himself.Personally a 5/5* for me, as I liked it even more the second time around.The Adventures of Tom Bombadil: 4/5*This is the third in Tales from the Perilous Realm, but this one was a first time read for me. I admit that the ‘other verses’ kind of went over my head or I misunderstand, because about halfway through I was like “what in the world does this have to do with Tom Bombadil?” So I actually listened to this twice today.This is a collection of poems by Tolkien. It includes two about Bombadil, who readers will know from Frodo meeting him in The Fellowship of the Ring. As one of the strangest characters I personally think he ever created, it still does not surprise me that Peter Jackson skipped that part entirely.The collection includes three that are actually featured in The Lord of the Rings as well, and the book had a very cool ‘in-universe’ (esque) preface. It speaks of how some of the stories are written by Bilbo or Sam, and how one featured is actually a dream that Frodo had, although probably not actually written by him.During my first listen through, as I stated above, I was looking for the Tom Bombadil context and was super confused. On the second, I enjoyed it and appreciated it for what it was. Poetry is not really my thing, but some of these are considered to be very good works by Tolkien, so I’m glad to have experienced them.The 16 featured poems are:The Adventures of Tom BombadilBombadil Goes BoatingErrantryPrincess MeeThe Man in the Moon Stayed Up too LateThe Man in the Moon Came Down too SoonThe Stone TrollPerry-the-WinkleThe MewlipsOliphauntFastitocalonCatShadow-BrideThe HoardThe Sea-Bell (OR ‘Frodos Dreme’)The Last ShipEnjoyable, well down works written throughout his life. Personally a 4/5* for the king.Smith of Wootton Major: 4/5*This is the fourth tale in Tales from the Perilous Realm, and this is the only other story I had not read prior. I have to say I’m not sure how I feel about it, but like the others, I’m sure I’d like it more a second time.This was one of Tolkien’s tales trying to explain the meaning of faery, or at least whatever that meant to him. It was apparently supposed to be part of a preface he was writing for George MacDonald’s ‘The Golden Key’, but became its own thing. (I’m no expert, I looked it up)Other than his usual and original use of the term Faery, this is not linked to his middle-earth legendarium, and in my opinion, has more of the lighthearted silliness of the other novellas in it. A great cook and his apprentice (referred to as ‘prentice) make a great cake filled with 24 trinkets and coins for the children. However, this year they include a 25th item, a star from faery. The smith’s son swallows it, later spitting it out and affixing it to his forehead. This serves almost like a blessing from the faeries, and he is blessed with skills and personality.This one was not really my favorite, I was a bit confused at points, which isn’t unusual for Tolkien, but it was short, so I thought it’d be easy going. Maybe it’d be an easier read than a listen. Personally a 4/5* for me.Leaf by Niggle: 5/5*This is the fifth, and final tale in Tales from the Perilous Realm, and another reread for me. I once again feel like I grasped this more, and enjoyed it more, the second time.This was a nice, easy read to get through, as it is a short story but published as it’s own release. With that being said there is certainly a deep metaphor here to life, unexpected departure, suffering and purgatory, and the great beyond. Not much of a believer myself—and don’t misunderstand, Tolkien is not giving a overhanded Christian/religious tale here—but I do really enjoy the way Tolkien conveys all that through the little things, in the littlest story. Niggle wants to finish his painted canvas before his big journey, but he can’t seem to get anything done for all the needless interruptions. Kind of a silly, fun way to describe life itself. And there is of course other views on what is meant here as well...this is just the most direct take on it I feel.I personally feel this a lot lately, so this was a timely reread. We constantly have our time planned or micromanaged, even if it’s by ourselves, and it’s up to us to make the most of it. Being kind throughout the hiccups and ‘interruptions’ is the key.A quick and wonderful reread, personally a 5/5*.

I am a huge Tolkien fan. I love all his books.

I am crazy for anything Hobbit/Lord of the Rings related and I am not sorry that I got this book. I think that any can would love it!!

When J R R Tolkien began his legendarium of Middle-earth, he set out to create a mythology, a secondary reality, which, if successful, would be as real in its own way as the physical world is to us. He was guided by an inner sense that myth is a lie (as he said to C. S. Lewis), even if it is not always historical fact. There is so much of reality, of the human experience of life and of the universe that cannot be reduced to empirical data. This conviction is reflected in Tolkien's poem "Mythopoeia" and in a key essay that appears in "Tales from the Perilous Realm," "On Fairy Stories."I had read "Lord of the Rings" numerous times before I read "Mythopoeia," "On Fairy Stories," "Leaf by Niggle," and "Smith of Wooten Major" this past Spring. All of these but "Mythopoeia" are found in "Tales from the Perilous Realm." Having read them now, I realize how much I have missed before. "Tales from the Perilous Realm" is an essential foundation for reading Tolkien's legendarium. The essay, which I recommend that one read first, provides the reader with an intellectual foundation to understand Tolkien's goals as an author and even more fundamentally, something of his view of man and of the world. While Tolkien was quite clear "Lord of the Rings" is no allegory (a story in which the author exerts "purposed domination"), it does reflects truths that he believes are universal, like the existence of evil. "Of evil this alone is certain: evil is," Tolkien says. In "On Fairy Stories" he explores the value of fantasy literature for helping us to step back and see reality afresh and from a more detached perspective. Fairy stories, while historically often directed to children, should be be merely children's stories that "trade on their credulity." A true fairy tale, as opposed to a beast fable or travel story, will bring to the reader recovery, escape, and consolation. By recovery he means both recovery from what ails us spiritually, if not physically, and also the recovery of intangibles that we have lost in the course of life. Furthermore, the reader sees how these two senses are really one for the healing of ailments comes with the recovery of what has been lost. That is how, to use the words of the Gospels, we are made "whole" not just "well." By escape he means not a psychological aberration of fleeing reality, but the escape of an unjustly held prisoner who is fleeing for his life. The escape offered is more like a spiritual retreat. Consolation is the ultimate goal that one achieves with recovery and escape.The Perilous Realm is the land of Faerie, where wonders exist that are both marvelous and dangerous. The danger is not just from malicious forces, but from benevolent ones if they are not approached in the right frame of mind. Those who know "Lord of the Rings" will recall how both Fangorn and Lothlorien were feared and yet turned out to be places of great refreshment and refuge. Tollkien explores this theme more simply in the short-story "Smith of Wooten Major." In that story and in "Leaf by Niggle" we see Tolkien build secondary worlds in which the reader can explore the themes of recovery, escape and consolation – and a whole lot more."Tales from the Perilous Relam" is essential reading for anyone who is a serious fan of J. R. R. Tolkien. It is also valuable reading for anybody who is in need of spiritual recovery, escape and consolation. Although Tolkien's Christian worldview is present, he avoided allegory precisely because that would be "preaching." Instead, he preferred "applicability" by which any reader could pick up his books and fit something that would resonate in his or her life.

Five of Tolkien’s shorter non-LOTR works (though there are many allusions and references to that masterpiece), plus one of his renowned essays, 'On Fairy-stories.'Generally lighter in tone than his longer writings, there is still that air of magical places, wistfulness, loss and the passing of time. Other reviewers have detailed the contents. My favorite is ‘Farmer of Giles of Ham,’ a humorous story of (another) reluctant hero, a giant, a dragon & his gold, a king & his (silly) knights & some Hobbitish village characters.I have most of these pieces in various old collections ('A Tolkien Reader' w/ art by Pauline Baynes, JRR's long-time illustrator, & 'Smith of Wootton Major' in a wee hardcover) with yellow pages and frayed corners, so it’s a pleasure to have them all here in this handsomely-illustrated edition featuring Alan Lee’s artwork. This was available at my local public library, but I knew I’d want to linger over this book. Charming, witty, funny and sad too. Hey Ho, Tom Bombadillo!

Love his books